PCMA Unveils Their 2018 ‘20 in Their Twenties’ Class

The 20 in their Twenties program, supported by the Professional Convention Management Association Education Foundation and Visit Seattle, is designed to engage the best and brightest young professionals in the business event industry. By recognizing emerging leaders, and their talents, PCMA helps to support a new generation of business event strategists around the world.

“The 20 in their Twenties program is a great way to recognize and engage rising stars in the industry,” said Rob Hampton, senior vice president of Convention Sales and Services for Visit Seattle.

He added, “It gives young professionals the opportunity to build camaraderie among their peers and gives ushe veterans in the industry - a chance to hear fresh ideas and perspectives and nurture new talent. This is a program Visit Seattle is proud to support.”

20 in their Twenties Class of 2018

Alexandra Adsit, CMP, CEM

Meeting Planner

AAMC

Charlottesville, VA

Chloe Armstrong

Bid Executive

Melbourne Convention Bureau

Melbourne, Australia

Sina Bünte, DES

Events Manager

ICCA

Amsterdam Netherlands

Erica Critzer, CMP

Regional Director of Sales

Visit Dallas

Arlington, VA

Patrick Crosson, CMP

Producer

agencyEA,

Chicago, IL

Carmen Ferrari, CMP

Events and Marketing Manager

European Photonics Industry Consortium

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Idil Findikoğlu,

Marketing Manager

Kenes Group

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Karin Hagemann

Head of Convention Bureau

Montreux-Vevey Tourisme & Convention Bureau

Bern Area, Switzerland

Caitlin Hume, CMP

Business Events Manager

Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc (RIMS)

New York, NY

Chloe Lai

Conference Producer

Medical Conference Partners

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Annamarie Luccarelli

Project Coordinator, Conferences and Educational Programs

Harborside Press

Trenton, NJ

Samantha Mele

Proposal & Product Developer

JPdL

Toronto, ON

Cahal Mowery, MBA, CMP, CTA

Director of Sales & Catering

JW Marriott Houston Downtown

Houston, TX

Brittany Saylor

Senior Meeting Planner

Right Hand Events

San Diego, CA

Barrie Schwartz

Founder/CEO

My House Social

New Orleans, LA

Allison Shebek

Associate Director of Experience Design

AlliedPRA

Phoenix, AZ

Kyle Smith, DES

Digital Event Strategist

Conference Consultancy South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa

Sara Stehle, CMP

Conference Specialist

International Association of Fire Chiefs

Washington, DC

Andrew Sykes

Assistant General Manager

FMAV

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Rasheena Wilson, CMP

Meeting and Exhibits Coordinator

American Society of Nephrology

Washington, DC

“This is our fifth class of the 20 brightest talents in the industry worldwide. Each year, we continue to be inspired by the passion and insights these individuals bring to the business events community. It is our honor to recognize the excellence of these emerging innovative leaders,” said Deborah Sexton, PCMA president and CEO.

Criteria for applicants was to be employed full time in the business events industry, be 29 years old or younger at the time of recognition and to demonstrate ways they consider themselves to be industry leaders. Applicants were not required to be PCMA members.

A committee made up of veteran industry professionals and 20 in their twenties alumni reviewed approximately 50 applications in detail before deciding on the class.

The individuals selected will receive a scholarship registration to attend PCMA’s signature event, Convening Leaders this January in Nashville, Tenn.; complimentary registration for PCMA’s June conference in Cleveland, Ohio, in June 2018; as well as one year of PCMA membership. In addition, recipients will receive membership and registration discounts for the next two years.

Recipients will be recognized at Convening Leaders this January, as well as in Convene Magazine and other PCMA communications.

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